A gradual tan is the secret to a low-commitment, streak-free golden glow — perfect for those not quite confident in their fake tan abilities or to top up your colour as needed.
As the name might suggest, the best thing about gradual tans is that the colour builds up slowly, making it unbelievably easy to achieve an even tan. If you’re too scared to risk failure with a dark foam or spray tan, this is the faux glow product for you — although we do still suggest using a tanning mitt to apply. Plus, it’s just as handy for seasoned professionals who’re looking to extend the life of their tan or deepen their colour — with minimal effort, of course.
Here, beautyheaven rounds up 10 gradual tans that are all available right here in Australia, so you can find your perfect match for summer.
The Best Gradual Tans To Shop In Australia
Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk
from $13.99 at MYER
Get all the benefits of a hydrating body moisturiser and fake tan with this gradual tanning milk. The antioxidant, aloe vera and vitamin E-enriched formula helps to hydrate and nourish
Key features:
Develops into a natural golden tan with continued use
Use daily to keep skin hydrated and golden
Enriched with antioxidants, aloe vera and vitamin E
Hydrates and nourishes skin
Available at:
- $13.99 from MYER
- $16.99 from Chemist Warehouse
- $19.99 from Priceline
Jergens Natural Glow Skin Firming Moisturiser Medium To Deep Skin Tones
from $9.39 at Chemist Warehouse
Enhance the appearance of your body before you pop on your swimmers this summer with this firming and glow-enhancing moisturiser — it visibly blurs cellulite and leaves the skin with a sun kissed glow.
Key features:
Designed to help visibly firm skin
Formulated to help minimise the visible appearance of cellulite
Develops into a natural-looking glow
Streak free finish
Infused with collagen and elastin
Available at:
- $9.39 from Chemist Warehouse
- $13.99 from Amazon Australia
- $15.99 from Priceline
Bali Body Gradual Tan
from $25.95 at Chemist Warehouse
Build your way gradually to a bronzey, golden tan naturally with this 100 per cent natural tanning moisturiser that’s been enriched with a hydrating blend of coconut oil, coffee seed extract and cocoa butter.
Key features:
Enriched with coconut oil, coffee seed extract and cocoa butter
Contains 100 per cent natural DHA
Hydrating moisturiser gradually builds to the perfect tan
Available at:
- $25.95 from Chemist Warehouse
- $25.95 from Bali Body
- $26 from Woolworths
St Tropez Gradual Tan Medium/Dark Firming Lotion
from $18.99 at Chemist Warehouse
If you struggle with a patchy tan due to relentlessly dry skin then you need to give this moisturising gradual tan a go. Packed full of hyaluronic acid, marine algae, blueberry oil and raspberry seed oil, it helps to lock in moisture for up to 72 hours, while tan technology and melanin boosters promise a streak-free sun kissed glow.
Key features:
Hydrates, protects, smooths, soothes and firms skin
Locks in moisture for up to 72 hours
Enriched with hyaluronic acid, marine algae, blueberry oil and raspberry seed oil
Tan technology and melanin boosters promise a streak-free sun kissed glow
Available at:
- $18.99 from Chemist Warehouse
- $18.99 from Priceline
Garnier Ambre Solaire Natural Bronzer Self Tan Lotion
from $11.39 at Chemist Warehouse
Need to look glowy, and quick? This streak-free gradual tanner develops in just an hour and lasts for up to a week. Perfect for enhancing your natural glow before a big event, it’s also enriched with nourishing and smoothing apricot oil for added benefits.
Key features:
Natural-looking, streak-free tan in one hour
Results last up to one week
Enriched with nourishing and smoothing apricot oil
Steak-free finish
Natural, healthy glow
Available at:
- $11.39 from Chemist Warehouse
- $14 from Coles
Loving Tan Deluxe Gradual Tan
from $28.45 at Oz Hair & Beauty
Looking for a way to extend the life of your fake tan? This lightweight gradual tan enhances and extends your natural olive glow for an extra two weeks, while acai berry, coffee extract, and shea butter help to condition the skin for a softer, smoother and more supple feel.
Key features:
Lightweight texture
Natural olive colour
Enhance or extend the life of your fake tan by up to two weeks
Infused with antioxidant-rich acai berry and coffee extract
Contains moisturising shea butter for soft, smooth and supple skin
Available at:
- $28.45 from Oz Hair & Beauty
- $29.99 from Priceline
- $30 from Sephora
Le Tan Gradual Coconut Tanning Lotion
from $7.99 at Australis
Le Tan’s signature coconut scent is synonymous with summer as far as we’re concerned, which is why we love incorporating this gradual tanning lotion into our body care routine when the weather warms up. It doesn’t just smell amazing though, the infusion of coconut water makes this stuff incredibly hydrating, and leaves skin feeling silky smooth.
Key features:
Infused with coconut water
Hydrates and moisturises
Refreshes your fake tan
Coconut scent smells like a summer holiday
Available at:
- $7.99 from Australis
- $8.99 from Chemist Warehouse
- $14.99 from Priceline
Dove Summer Glow Body Lotion Fair to Medium Skin
from $6.49 at Chemist Warehouse
An oldie but a goodie, Dove’s take on the gradual tanner has been recommended to us by those in the know for years. It’s streak-free, hydrating and as affordable as they come.
Key features:
DeepCare Complex moisturises, nourishes and smooths
Gradually builds to a glowing tan
Available in Medium to Dark
Available at:
- $6.49 from Chemist Warehouse
- $6.49 from Amazon Australia
- $6.50 from Big W
Australian Glow Gradual Tanning Moisturiser
from $23 at Big W
Our personal favourite on this list, Australian Glow has managed to create a gradual tan that feels more like a lightweight and fast-absorbing moisturiser than a sticky tan. It’s easy to integrate into your daily routine for a subtle sun kissed glow, pls, the delicious vanilla-cocoa scent doesn’t hurt either.
Key features:
Vanilla-cocoa scent
Shea butter, Kakadu plum, green tea, witch hazel, and hyaluronic acid promote silky smooth skin
Lightweight and non-greasy
Streak-free and sun kissed finish
Available at:
- $23 from Big W
The Quick Flick Quick Glow Whipped Gradual Tan & Body Moisturiser Mousse
from $17.40 at Priceline
Familiar with a tanning mousse and want to stick to what you know? This moisturising gradual tanning mousse should slip easily into your routine then. It’s enriched with a blend of hydrating blend of glycerin, antioxidants, and cucumber extract. The lightweight, fast-absorbing formula contains 100 per cent natural DHA for a natural-looking radiant glow.
Key features:
Infused with hydrating glycerin, antioxidants, and cucumber extract
Contains 100 per cent natural DHA
Lightweight mousse texture
Fast-absorbing
Natural-looking radiant glow
Available at:
- $17.40 from Priceline
Main image credit: @alessandraambrosio
Do you have a favourite gradual tan?
Gradual tanning lotions are great for my pasty sickly looking legs, I just want a natural wash of colour, not a whole shade change
I’ve used the Bondi Sands and was happy with the results, but didn’t realise there were so many other great products on the market.
Dove has been my go to in the past, so i can slowly get the colour i want,
I haven’t tried any gradual tanners.
Great to read about the latest in faux tans. Wow 400 members trialled it! bh has grown up to be huge compared to when it first started out. omg!
I love gradual tanners for extending a fake tan. Thanks for the comprehensive list of great options bh!
This is much needed after winter
I’ve tried Jergens which is great but I want to try the Sukin one as well
I have tried the Dove and I can honestly say there was no difference at all – AND this was after continual use for about two months when the tube ran out!!
Not for me, happy with pale skin
I have used and loved St Tropez but I am interested in the sukin one now too.
Double post error! I’ve just had the same problem on the forum, too!
Triple post error! How the heck did that happen?
The Garnier & Le Tan ones have been delisted. I wasn’t keen on the smell of the Dove one. I’ve got a tube of St Tropez to try. I like the sound of the Natio one that smells like cinnamon & tangerine – Yum!
Just in time for warmer weather and the legs coming out!
Like the Dove one, natural looking tan people asked me if I’d had a spray tan when I’d been using it.
I’m pretty sure I’ve tried the Bondi Sands one. I don’t usually bother. CBF.
I’m not really into fake tans, or natural tans, but I received a bottle of Bondi Sands Gradual Tanning Milk in my Glosscars prize pack so I did a patch test on the top of my legs. The colour is so natural looking so I’m convinced I can use this if I want to add a bit of colour to my white legs.
Not a fan of the tan, I prefer to be pale.
Haven’t tried these, not into diy tanning lotions
Good tips to get ready for summer.
Love the JERGENS one
Must get the dove one again ! I remember it was good ! Very natural and you can put it on like moisturiser each morning.
That’s great, I might try some
Never tried any of these.
I tan naturally so I try and avoid this
I am fair skinned and have used Dove Summer Glow for a couple of years. I love the results I get with it and it smells really nice.
After frying my skin in the sun as a teenager, I learned to accept my lovely pale skin so tanning products aren’t for me.
Love this attitude!
The Dove one is not gradual! I am looking a bit oompa loompa.
I quite like the palmers one
I have used a few tanning lotions over the years and one I really liked went off the market but for me Jergens Natural Glow is absolutely brillant for my skin. I just want a very natural colour as my legs are white and some products would make me look orange or just too dark. It doesn’t leave me with that horrible tanning smell and I can get dressed straight after it. The next day I just reapply and that gives me the slight shade I need for a few days.
I haven’t used fake tan up to now but may consider giving it a go. I would go Natio for sure.
I think I’ve used the Dove product year ago. Not into tanning currently.
Not something I need!
Love that there’s also a dose of magnesium in the La Mav.
Would love to try the Jergens!
Bondi Sands is great. I’m eager to try Dove.
… and the Jergens too.
I have the Dove one here. I prefer Bondi Sands though.
Still happy with my pale skin
I have used the Dove tanning and it suits me very well as I have fair skin and it looks really natural on my fair skin -not overpowering at all.
I agree I like the Dove tanning
I’ve never fake tanned and I’m not likely to. Perfectly happy with my fair skin that needs to stay out of sun as much as possible.
great article. Would like to try Jergens one
I have tried the Jergens gradual tan but I’m keen to try the others
I’ve tried a few of these gradual tans, I haven’t used one in a while but this article reminded me that I need to start prepping before summer actually gets here and I still have my transparent winter glow haha
A gradual tanner os the only fake tanning that works for me
I used the Dove one on the weekend m. It’s fantastic.
I have used the Dove Summer Glow Gradual Self Tan Body Lotion and found it to be very good. It is a moisturiser as well as a self tan and makes my legs look great for the summer
The Jergens is really nice.
The Dove one is fabulous.
Watermelon St Tropez sounds so divine